Bersih: No foul if 'petrol money' is part of election budget

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan has not committed any election offence in the Cameron Highlands by-election if the "petrol money" given to volunteers is accounted for in its election budget, says Bersih 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann.

He said that he had read the explanation given that the money given was to reimburse volunteers for travel expenses incurred.

"If that was the case, it was not an election offence if these are recorded as part of the candidate's expenses, and within the RM200,000 limit," he said, adding that this was based on election law on disbursements.

Fan however, said that those with proof that Pakatan was indeed bribing voters should come forward.

"If any party thinks otherwise and they have evidence to prove it, they should report it and the relevant agencies should investigate the matter," Fann told The Star on Monday (Jan 14).

Fann was commenting on viral photographs a woman clad in a red Pakatan T-shirt handing out money to supporters.

Pakatan Harapan has denied allegations of bribery.

Arvind Bharet, the assistant head of Jelai Pakatan's operation centre, clarified that party workers were giving "petrol money" to its volunteers in the said photographs.

Election Commission chairman Azhar Harun said only the courts can decide whether the "petrol money" given was an election offence.